Mode of canceling postage and revenue stamps



c. w. HARRIS.

Mode of Canceling Postage and Revenue Stamps.

Patented Nov. 15, 1864 N. PETERS. Phummhu n her. Wiihtnglun, ac.

UNITED STATES PATENT O FICE.

CHARLES XV. HARRIS, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

MODE OF CANCELING POSTAGE AND REVENUE STAMPS.

Specification forming part of Lettnrs Patent No. 45,038, dated November 15, 1864; antcdatcd Fcbruary l, 1851.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES W. HARRIS, of the city of Pittsburg, in the county of A1- legheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Device for Canceling Postage and Revenue Stamps; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents a postage-stamp before it is canceled. Fig. 2 is a postage-stamp after cancellation.

My invention is designed to furnish a rapid and eificient mode of canceling or destroying so as to prevent a second use of postage-stamps or internal revenue-stamps,without injury to the letter, envelope, or instrument to which the stamp has been affixed, and yet in such way as to effectually prevent the stamp from ever being again used. Destruction of such stamps by ink, whether printing or writing ink, seems to be but partial, and frequently the ink-stains are removed by chemical process and the stamps used over again; but destruction by tearing the stamp is not liable to these objections.

In order to tear the stamp in two after it has been used or affixed to the letter or instrument of writing, I place under it a piece of fine tape or thread, a, Fig. 1, one end of which projects beyond the edge of the stamp b. This string may be of any suitable material, and had better be thin and broader than its thickness, so that it may lie fiat upon the under side of the stamp, and when pulled may tear out a piece of the stamp. This string (or strings, for more than one may be used) is placed upon the under side of the stamp and secured thereto by the gum or mucilage usually employed in making stamps, or is otherwise so attached to the stamp as to tear it in two when the end of the string is pulled. These strings may be attached to the stamps during the process of manufacture by machinery.

If preferred, the string may be attached to the envelope, letter, or instrument of writing, and the stamp pasted over it; but I prefer making the string a part of the stamp.

hat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The mode of canceling Government stamps, whether postage or revenue stamps, by tearing them by means of a string interposed betwcen the stamp and the letter or in strumcnt of writing to which it is attached, substantially as described.

2. Constructing Government stamps with a string or strings attached thereto,for the purpose of cancellation, in the manner described.

In testimony whereof the said CHARLES XV. HARRIS has hereunto set his hand in presence of us.

CHAS. IV. HARRIS.

IVi tnesses:

A. S. NICHOLSON, XV. fiAKEW'ELL. 

